The UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination will be convening a series of panels to discuss the impact of private military and security companies (PMSC) on human rights around the globe. 

CCR Senior Staff Attorney Katherine Gallagher will be a featured speaker, discussing accountability mechanisms and access to remedy for victims of human rights violations committed by PMSCs.

To attend, you must RSVP to mercenaries@ohchr.org. You can find more information about the event on the UN website.

PANEL I - The effect of privatization of war on self-determination (10:00am)
Mr. Abu Ziad, International Advocacy Officer, Addameer, Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Palestine
Mr. Oladiran Bello, Executive Director, Good Governance Africa, Lagos, Nigeria

PANEL II - The effect of privatization of war on accountability and remedy (11:00am)
Mr. Jordi Palou Loverdos, NOVACT-International Institute for Nonviolent Action, Spain
Ms. Katherine Gallagher, Senior Staff Attorney, Center for Constitutional Rights, U.S.A.

PANEL III - Options for regulation (12:00pm)
Mr. Andrew Orsmond, Executive Director of International Code of Conduct Assocation, Switzerland
Ms. Meg Roggensack, Senior Adviser on Business and Human Rights, Human Rights First